Convertible settee furniture

ABSTRACT

724,372. Bed-settees. DOUBE, G. J. Aug. 13, 1953 [Aug. 13, 1952], No. 22389/53. Class 52 (2). A bed-settee is arranged and constructed so that the back rest comprises a unit which is detachably secured to the seat frame to form a settee or a double bed and alternatively to be removed and, with the seat section be used as single beds. The seat frame 12 comprises upstanding ends 12&lt;SP&gt;3&lt;/SP&gt; and front 12&#39; to confine the cushion 10 and transverse members 12&lt;SP&gt;6&lt;/SP&gt; which project rearwardly and serve as supports for the back rest 13 in settee position. For this purpose the ends of the transverse members 12&lt;SP&gt;6&lt;/SP&gt; are provided with a sloping upper surface which is intended to be normal to the slope of the back rest, a projection 12&lt;SP&gt;9&lt;/SP&gt; serving as a retainer. The back rest in settee position is held by end stays 15 and by detachable flexible straps 16, the cushion 11 of the back rest extending downwardly behind the cushion 10. To arrange as a double bed the stays 15 and straps 16 are released and the side member 13&lt;SP&gt;2&lt;/SP&gt; of the back rest closed up to the side member 12&lt;SP&gt;2&lt;/SP&gt; of the seat section in which position, when the back rest is brought to the horizontal position, nibs 19 engage notches 20 and the feet 13&lt;SP&gt;4&lt;/SP&gt; are brought into operative position. When the back rest is removed altogether to serve as a single bed, the other feet 13&lt;SP&gt;5&lt;/SP&gt; are also lowered.

Nov. 29, 1955 G. J. DOUBE CONVERTIB LE SETTEE FURNITURE Filed Aug. '7, 1955 Nov. 29, 1955 G. J. DOUBE 2,724,841

CONVERTIBLE SETTEE FURNITURE Filed Aug. '7, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent CONVERTIBLE SETTEE FURNITURE Gerard John Doube, Melbourne, Victoria,'Australia Application August 7, 1953, Serial No. 372,980 Claims priority, application Australia August 13, 1952 Claims. (Cl. 538) This invention relates to convertible furniture and particularly to a settee which is convertible for use as a bed.

It has previously been proposed to construct a settee comprising a seat portion and a movable back portion which is capable of being folded rearwardly intoa horizontal position, so as to form in conjunction with the seat portion, a double bed suitable for occasional use The general object of the present invention is to provide improvements in the construction of furniture of the aforesaid type, while one specific object thereof is to provide a construction which permits of the ready separation of the seat and back portions so that same may be used independently as single beds.

Accordingly, one broad feature of the invention resides in a convertible settee comprising a seat portion provided with supporting legs and a movable back portion capable of being arranged horizontally as an extension of the seat portion, wherein when the seat and back portions are arranged to form a settee, the back portion extends downwardly behind the seat portion and wherein when said back portion is arranged horizontally, its inner edge is supported on spaced rearward projections on said seat portion.

Preferably two at least of said spaced rearward projections on said seat portion are spaced from the ends thereof.

More particularly, in one preferred form of the invention, the rear of the seat portion is provided intermediate its ends with a plurality of spaced transverse beams which project rearwardly therefrom and are adapted to support the adjacent edge of the back when same is disposed in either of its alternative positions and releasable means are provided for retaining said seat and back portions together. Such releasable retaining means may comprise pivoted links, flexible connections or other equivalent means.

An important feature of the invention resides in the use of detachable retaining means which permit of the separation of the seat and back portions for use as two single beds.

The upper portion of the back is providedwith normallyfolded legs which are extended when the device is in use as a bed, while when said back is separable for the units of the settee arranged to form a double divan bed,

Figure 6 is a view in sectional elevation taken on the line 66 of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a view in rear elevation of a portion of the rear unit as indicated by the line 77 of Figure 5.

The convertible settee shown in the drawings comprises a seatunit which supports a removable cushion it) and a back unit which similarly supports a cushion 11.

The seat unit comprises a rigid rectangular frame generally designated 12 and including from and rear rails 12 and 12 respectively, end members 12 pairs of front and rear legs 12 and 12 respectively and a pair of transverse beams 12 which are spaced from the respective ends of the frame.

In the illustrated embodiment this frame is formed of wood but it may alternatively be formed of metal or other suitable material.

The frame is provided between the frontand rear rails thereof with a plurality of spaced longitudinally disposed slats 12 to support the cushion 10.

The front rail 12 is arranged on edge whereby it projects somewhat above the slats 12 to restrain the cushion 10 against forward movements, while similarly the end members 12 prevent endwise movements of the cushion. The rear rail 12 however, is arranged on the fiat with its upper surface flush with the slats 12 so that the rear portion of the cushion may rest thereon. This rear rail may be of composite construction as shown to provide increased depth and strength between the transverse beams 12 g The said beams 12 project rearwardly beyond the rear rail to support the back unit as hereafter described and the rear legs 12 which are disposed directly below these beams incline rearwardly and downwardly as shown to v best advantage in Figure 4 to provide increased stability.

use as a single bed, the inner and lower portion thereof is also preferably provided with normally folded legs.

The invention is more particularly described with referenee to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a convertible settee embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the back of the settee shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the settee showing the frame construction,

Figure 4 is a view in sectional side elevation of the settee,

Figure 5 is a view in sectional side elevation showing The back unit embodies a frame generally designated 13 which in the main is constructed similarly to the frame 12 of the seat unit, for which purpose and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the component parts of the back frame are designated 13 with the same indexes as those used for the corresponding components of the seat frame.

It is to be noted, however, that the transverse beams 13 of the backframe do not project beyond either of the rails 13 and 13 thereof and'also that this frame is provided with pivoted legs 13 and 13 hereafter further described which are retracted when the units are arranged to form a settee.

Referring again to Figure 4-, it will be seen that the upper edges of the rearwardly projecting portions of the transverse beams 12 are shaped to form shallow grooves having inclined bottom surfaces 12 arranged fowardly of upstanding integral projections or retaining lugs 12 The back unit of the settee inclines upwardly 'and rearwardly at a suitable angle and is supported on the projecting rear end portions of the transverse beams 12 with the lower rail 13 resting on the inclined surfaces 12 of the beams immediately in advance of the retaining lugs 12 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 in which it will be observed that the inclined supporting surfaces 12 are disposed at right angles to the plane of the baci: unit.

The back unit is retained in the required position by means of inclined stays 15 disposed one at each end of the settee, each stay being detachably secured to the respective end members of one of the units to enable the back unit to be lowered when required.

In addition the lower end of the back unit is preferably detachably secured to the adjacent portion of the seat unit so as to prevent the former from being pushed rearwardly over the ends" of the supporting beams 12 if said back unit is not correctly located thereon for retaining engagement by the lugs '12". Such additional connecting means may conveniently comprise flexible straps 16 of leather. or other suitable material, permanently secured at their forward ends to the seat unit and having their rear ends removably secured as by pins 17 to the lower ends of two of the transverse beams 12 of the back unit. See Figures 2, 3 and 4.

It is to be noted that the lower edge portion of the back cushion 11 extends downwardly behind the rear edge of the front cushion 1t when the device is erected as a settee as is common with non-convertible settees whereas convertible settees as hitherto usually constructed do not overlap in this way but are hingedly connected together about an axis which substantially coincides with the upper back edge of the seat cushion and the lower front edge of the back cushion. That is to say, the lower edge of the back cushion is substantially flush with the upper surface of the seat cushion.

Now when it is desired to convert the settee into a double divan bed, the back unit is lowered to the position shown in Figure 5, for which purpose it is necessary to release the inclined stays 15 and the flexible straps or like connecting members 16.

In addition the aforesaid pair of pivoted legs 13 at the outer and upper edge of the back unit and which are retracted when that unit is raised, are lowered to their projected positions. Each of these legs is fitted with a collapsible toggle arm stay 18 by which it is securely retained in its extended position as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The similar pair of pivoted legs 13 at the inner and lower edge of the back unit and which also are retracted when that unit forms .the back of a settee, remain retracted when the unit is lowered to form the rear section of a double bed as the inner portion of that section is supported on the projecting ends of the beams 12 Referring to Figure 5, it will be observed that the frame 13 of the rear unit is moved forwardly until the adjacent rails 12 and 13 are in contact, at which time depending tongues 19 on the last-mentioned rail, register with and project into locating and retaining slots 20 in the upper faces of the beams 12 Finally, in order to use the front and rear units as separate single beds, the rear unit is detached from the seat unit and the additional legs 12 of the former are turned down into their extended or operative positions.

I claim:

1. A convertible settee comprising a seat unit having a rigid substantially rectangular and substantially horizontal frame and means for supporting said frame at a suitable height, the said frame being adapted to support a seat cushion, at least two spaced transverse beams incorporated in the frame and having rear end extensions which constitute rearward projections on the frame, the upper surfaces of said rearward projections being disposed below the level of the lower surface of said seat cushion, a movable back unit incorporating a rigid frame adapted to support a back cushion, the frame of the said back unit being arranged in an upstanding position with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said spaced rearward projections of the seat unit and retaining means on the said rearward projections to limit rearward movements of the back unit thereon, the said back unit being also adapted to be arranged horizontally as a rearward extension of the seat unit with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said rearward projections and including means on each of the said rearward projections for locating engagement with the back unit when the latter is thus disposed.

2. A convertible settee comprising a seat unit having a rigid substantially rectangular and substantially horizontal frame and means for supporting said frame at a suitable height, said frame being adapted to support a loose seat cushion, at least two transverse beams incorporated in the frame and spaced from each other and from the ends of the frame, said transverse beams having rear end extensions which constitute rearward cantilever projections on the frame, the upper surfaces of said rearward projections being disposed below the level of the lower surface of said seat cushion, a movable back unit incorporating a rigid frame adapted to support a loose back cushion, the frame of the said back unit being arranged in an upstanding position with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said spaced rearward projections of the seat unit, re taining means on each of the rearward projections for limiting rearward movements of the back unit thereon, upstanding cushion retaining members on the frontside and ends only of the frame of the seat unit, corresponding cushion retaining members on the outer side and ends only of the frame of the back unit and two releasable inclined stays arranged one at each end of the settee to connect the seat and back units, the said back unit being also adapted to be arranged horizontally as a rearward extension of the seat unit with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said rearward projections and interfitting means on the rearward projections and the back unit to locate the latter in its said horizontal position.

' 3. A convertible settee comprising a seat unit and a separable back unit, the said seat unit having a rigid substantially rectangular and substantially horizontal frame adapted to support a seat cushion, spaced supporting means such as legs on the frame, at least two spaced transverse beams included in said frame and having overhung rear end portions which extend behind, and constitute rearward cantilever projections on, the said frame, the upper surfaces of said rearward projections being disposed below the level of the lower surface of said seat cushion, the said back unit having a rigid substantially rectangular frame adapted to support a back cushion and being arranged in an upstanding position with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said spaced rearward projections, an upward projection on the rear end portion of each rearward projection to locate the back unit, in a position such that the lower edge portion of theback cushion extends downwardly behind the rear edge of the cushion on the seat unit, two releasable inclined stays arranged one at each end of the settee to connect the seat and back units and releasable means arranged to connect the inner edge of the back unit to the seat unit adjacent said rearward projections thereby to prevent separation of the lower end of the back unit from the seat unit, the said back unit being also adapted to be arranged horizontally as a rearward extension of the seat unit with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said rearward projections and interfitting means on the rear ward projections and back unit to locate the latter, when disposed horizontally in a position such that the seat cushion and the back cushion are disposed substantially in contact.

4. A convertible settee comprising a seat unit comprising a rigid substantially horizontal and substantially rectangular frame adapted to support a seat cushion, spaced means for supporting the frame horizontally at the required height, at least two spaced transverse beams included in said frame and extended rearwardly to constitute rearward projections thereon, the upper surfaces of said rearward projections being disposed below the level of the lower surface of the seat cushion, a back unit separable from the seat unit and arranged in an upstanding position, said back unit comprising a substantially rectangular rigid frame adapted to support a back cushion and having its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said spaced projections, an upstanding stop element on the rear end portion of each rearward projection to locate and prevent rearward movements of the back unit and releasable inclined stays arranged one at each end of the settee and each connecting the seat unit to the back unit, the said back unit being also capable of being arranged horizontally as a rearward extension of the seat unit, the frame of the back unit when thus arranged being supported on the upper surfaces of the said rearward projections on the seat unit and interfitting means on each rearward projection and the coacting portion of the frame of the back unit to locate the latter in its said horizontal position.

5. A convertible settee comprising a seat unit having a rigid substantially rectangular and substantially horizontal frame and means for supporting said frame at a suitable height, the said frame being adapted to support a seat cushion, at least two spaced transverse beams incorporated in the frame and having rear end extensions which constitute rearward projections on the frame, the upper surfaces of said rearward projections being disposed adjacent to the plane of the lower surface of said seat cushion, a movable back unit incorporating a rigid frame adapted to support a back cushion, the frame of the said back unit being arranged in an upstanding position with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said spaced rearward projections of the seat unit, the said back unit being also adapted to be arranged horizontally as a rearward extension of the seat unit with its inner edge supported on the upper surfaces of the said rearward projections, coacting means on the said rearward projections and the adjacent portion of the back unit for locating the latter in its said upstanding and horizontal positions alternatively and two releasable stays arranged one at each end of the settee to connect the seat and back units when the latter is in its said upstanding position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 424,980 Hanchett Apr. 8, 1890 474,970 Rimmer May 17, 1892 1,082,680 Danielson Dec. 30, 1913 2,175,991 Krakauer Oct. 10, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 130,175 Austria Nov. 10, 1932 234,027 Switzerland Dec. 1, 1944 

